Pee Kay: Is a Marae Near You Worth $2.44 Billion of Your Tax Money?

When a political party announces a $2.44 billion “social” policy in the lead up to a general election, you expect banner headlines and non-stop media fanfare. You expect political editors to dissect the spending and critics to demand accountability. If the current government dropped a multi-billion-dollar bomb like this, the usual suspects would be rushing to print with fierce condemnation.

Yet, the headlines remain small, the fanfare muted, and the critics silent.

Pee Kay: $27.6 million… WHY?

“Two Hawke’s Bay marae damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle will be rebuilt in safer locations using $27.6 million of Government funding.”

“Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said the Government had on Thursday approved $11.54m for Petāne Marae and $16.06m for Tāngoio Marae to relocate and rebuild, through the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway.”

WHY?

Matua Kahurangi: $10 million for a marae while everyone else pays their own way

The Government’s announcement of $10 million for Ringatū marae in the Bay of Plenty has left a sour taste. Not because marae are unimportant, but because of the growing expectation that the taxpayer should keep footing the bill for projects that other community groups are expected to fund themselves.